[Rhodes22-list] I Hate My Trailer

[Roger Pihlaja]

Steve,

Are you exceeding the GVW rating of your old Triad trailer?  The reason I
ask is that it seems hard to believe a reputable trailer builder like Triad
would so grossly undersize the leaf springs & other components of the
trailer's suspension that they could be wiggling around & causing the high
speed instability you are experiencing as long as the trailer was not being
overloaded.

If you think you already have 10 -15% of the trailer's loaded weight on the
tongue & you are still experiencing high speed stability problems; then, you
may want to consider doing what I did with my Lil Dude tandem axle boat
trailer back in 1988.  I had an RV dealer in Russellville, AR install a
"Husky Sway Control" device made by the EAZ-Lift Spring Corp.  This device
is a "linear friction damper" with about a 12" stroke.  It installs between
a 1" OD ball mounted on a bracket on the side of tow vehicle's tow bar & a
1" OD ball mounted on a bracket welded to the side of the trailer tongue.
As the trailer yaws back & forth, the linear damper strokes in & out to damp
out the oscillations.  It makes a huge difference in high speed stability,
especially in situations like cross winds or shock waves from passing semi
trucks on the expressway.  My wife, Deb, won't drive the tow vehicle without
it in place when we are towing Dynamic Equilibrium.  The only downside is
that the anti-sway device limits the turning circle slightly.  Therefore,
you really should remove it before doing any close quarters manuvering, like
say at the launch ramp.  But, it takes less than a minute to install or
remove.  Please note that my trailer has surge brakes.  So, don't let anyone
tell you that these anti-sway devices are not compatable with surge brakes
because I've been operating this way for 15 years with many thousands of
trailering miles including plenty of mountain road driving.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd Tavares" <sprocket80 at mail.com>
To: <jbconnolly at comcast.net>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
<rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003 12:46 PM
Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] I Hate My Trailer


> Jim,
>
>    I would like to know the distance from the axle to the front cross
member (where the forward bunk mounts are attached), and the distance from
the axle to the bow stop upright(winch tower).
>
>   On Will's trailer the measurements would most likely be from the
equalizing link between the axles' springs.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Todd
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jim Connolly <jbconnolly at comcast.net>
> Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2003 12:09:24 -0400
> To: 'The Rhodes 22 mail list' <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] I Hate My Trailer
>
> > I have a 2003 Triad Single-Axle.  What measurements do you want?
> >
> > BTW, the adjustable arm on the bow stop is set all the way forward on my
> > trailer, and Elton said to leave it in that position.
> >
> > Jim Connolly
> > s/v Inisheer
> >
> >
> > On Saturday, August 09, 2003 10:38 AM, Todd Tavares
> > [SMTP:sprocket80 at mail.com] wrote:
> > > So... who out there has a "new" trailer?
> > >
> > >    I have just about finished a sketch of what I think is an older
triad
> > trailer.  Can someone with a newer trailer take a few measurements and
let
> > me know if any dimensions are significantly different?  Specifically,
the
> > measurement from the axle to the winch post.  (I hope the darn
attachment
> > goes through)
> > >
> > > Todd
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
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